Ludoph, Ewoud (2026) Beyond LTE: Modelling Rovibrational HCN Spectra in Protoplanetary Disks. Bachelor's Thesis, Astronomy.
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Abstract
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is an important bottleneck for the formation of complex organic molecules in protoplanetary disks. In the past the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) approximation was commonly used to analyse the rovibrational spectra of planet forming disks quantitatively using slab models. This as- sumption may break down at lower gas densities, but can be partially compensated for by radiative pumping. Using 0D ProDiMo slab models, we systematically investigate the behaviour of different observable bands under varying physical conditions. We quantify the conditions under which the LTE assumption fails and assess whether the completeness of molecular line data is more important than a full non-LTE treatment. Through these models, we show that expanded molecular data does affect line fluxes and ratios considerably, and that non-LTE effects appear under a wider range of disk conditions than previously thought.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis) |
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| Supervisor name: | Kamp, I.E.E. |
| Degree programme: | Astronomy |
| Thesis type: | Bachelor's Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Jun 2026 10:43 |
| Last Modified: | 04 Jun 2026 10:43 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/37315 |
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